RJ Writing Ink

Things that came to an end in 2019

In my look ahead at 2019 that I did at the end of last year, then you’ll recall what I dubbed 2019. I called it “the Year of Endings.” The name came from the fact that several great stories in the form of movies, shows, and games would be ending this year. It felt appropriate.

With the year now largely wrapped up, I decided to take a look back on everything that came to an end. In addition, I wanted to share my thoughts about the way these things ended. Too often have I seen a good story ruined by a bad ending.

Infinity Saga

When Iron Man came out in 2008, I don’t anyone knew what it was starting. As a result of that film, a cinematic universe the likes of which had never been done was born. Now fast forward to 2019, and supeheroes dominate our culture, with Marvel capping off one of the most ambitious stories in history: the Infinity Saga.

I’ve been a fan of Marvel since I was a kid. So when I saw Thanos appear in that mid-credits scene in Avengers, I knew what Marvel was building to. However, never in my wildest dreams did I expect the Infinity Saga to end like it did. The franchise had plenty of high moments, a few low points, but through it all, it remained an incredible ride. The final clash between the Avengers and Thanos was one of the greatest moments in cinematic history. As a result of the MCU, I don’t think our culture will ever be the same again, and I’m happy about that.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones was, without a doubt, the definitive show of the decade. Based on George R.R. Martin’s books and inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, this show gave us a modern spin on a medieval world. The sheer amount of success it’s had is mind-boggling. From giving dozens of actors their big break, to all the memes and references in pop culture, Game of Thrones was a show that only came around once a generation. Then, we got the finale.

If you’ve read my reviews for the final season, then you know how I thought it was a let-down. Yeah, all the characters I hated died, but the way they did made it feel like a hollow victory. While I don’t agree with how the show ended, I’ve since come to a conclusion. While I think the final season could have been done better, I don’t think it changes the fact that Game of Thrones is one of the best shows ever made. The ride alone made the whole thing worth it in the end. Also, I could at least celebrate Littlefinger’s death.

Kingdom Hearts: The Xehanort Saga

Fourteen years. That’s how long fans had been waiting for Kingdom Hearts 3 to come out. In that time, we had to go through several mid-quels, prequels, and remasterings. However, in January 2019, Square Enix finally gave us the final chapter in the Xehanort Saga for their crossover RPG, Kingdom Hearts.

Personally, I enjoyed Kingdom Hearts III. I loved the updated graphics, the new game play mechanics, and the new worlds based on Disney properties that we could explore. However, my enthusiasm for it was marred by my belief that Square Enix delayed it longer than necessary. Then when I got to the end and saw what happened, I felt more frustrated than sad with how it turned out. Despite this, I still think Kingdom Hearts is one of my all-time favorite series.

Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

After forty-two years, eleven movies, and hours worth of content, it seems that Star Wars is dropping the curtain on the Skywalkers. After Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, they announced their intent to create a Sequel Trilogy, culminating in the release of The Rise of Skywalker earlier this month. The film’s supposed to put an end to the story of Skywalker family. However, I don’t buy it for a second.

Ever since The Rise of Skywalker was announced, people talk like its the end of the franchise. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Star Wars proved a long time ago that it can tell great stories without involving the Skywalker family. In fact, some of the best content didn’t involve the Skywalkers or their friends at all! In other words, I see The Rise of Skywalker as the first chapter in a new era for a franchise that can go on for decades.

Star vs the Forces of Evil

This year saw one of the best cartoons put out in years come to an end. At one point, Star vs. the Forces of Evil was almost as popular as Steven Universe and Gravity Falls. However, that didn’t stop Disney from rushing bringing the show to a somewhat quiet end in May of this year. The question, though, is why I keep bringing this show up.

I think my obssession with Star vs. can be explained with three different reasons. Firstly, I think after being so thoroughly disappointed by it, I subconsciously transferred my love of Game of Thrones to Star vs as a means of coping. Secondly, I felt like Disney rushed to get the show’s final season out, throwing in multiple episodes in the span of a few weeks. As a result, it ended before we could get ready for it. Finally, I think that they could have told more stories in the show. Daron Nefcy has openly said she’d come back to do more with Star vs if Disney asked. Thus, I don’t think the story of Star Butterfly’s done just yet.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

I used to think that My Little Pony was a toy line meant for little girls. Then I saw Rainbow Dash beat the snot out of Starscream on an episode of Death Battle. That made me realize that these ponies could actually be cool. After that, I got into the show, and ended up becoming a brony.

In October of this year, Discovery Family and Hasbro brought My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to an end. However, unlike Game of Thrones or Star vs., this show came to an end on a very satisfying note. Discovery Family went out of its way to promote it by re-running every episode ever, and the finale managed to tie up any remaining plot threads. In other words, it had a good ending. Best of all, IDW Comics will be continuing the story in comic book form starting next year, so this won’t be the last time we see these characters. I thought it was great seeing one of the decade’s best cartoons go out on a high note, and I only wish other shows could do the same thing.

Happy New Year

Do you agree with my picks? What other great things came to an end in 2019 that I missed? Let me know in the comments below, and happy New Year.

Click here to see more stuff recapping past years.

Jay’s Month of Screams, Day 6- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Due to the impending finale of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, I’ve gotten the show stuck in my head. All day. Since I’m doing a Halloween Special a day, I figured I’d roll with it and watch one from the show.

In this season five episode, Fluttershy decides to try and face her biggest fear: going out on Nightmare Night. All her friends are thrilled about it, but the poor thing’s still too scared to enjoy the holiday.

So, instead of getting scared, Fluttershy decides it would be better to be the scarer. After a failed first attempt, Fluttershy manages to do the impossible and scare the daylights out of her friends! Despite this, she decides she can’t go through with making her friends feel like they’re in actual danger. Nightmare Night is just not for her in the end, and she goes back to staying in her cottage.

Not My Cup of Tea

As much as I enjoy the show, it’s hard to see something like My Little Pony as scary even at its most tense moments. It’s still a kids show, so it has to restrain itself. Regardless, I was impressed with how scary an experience Fluttershy made for her friends. If I got chase by a giant monster or attacked by a giant bat in a haunted maze, I’d be scared too. In a good way.

I guess I’m the end, MLP Halloween specials aren’t for me; kind of like how Nightmare Night isn’t for Fluttershy. It was still worth trying, and a fun way to prepare for the show’s series finale.

By the way, IDW’s continuing the show in comic book form. Happy Halloween!

Click here to see the FANDOM Article I did for Halloween last year.

Click here to see my other animation stuff. Or here to see all holiday related posts.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Series Finale Review

Looking back on this decade of animation, I think few shows have been as successful as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. This cartoon took a toy line and turned it into something amazing. A sprawling and complex world rivaling decades old. A spin-off series of films, specials, comics, merchandise, and a theatrical movie. Additionally, there’s an actual Brony Convention. In other words, this show about a bunch of ponies has done an incredible job of becoming successful.

All good things must come to an end, though, lest they end up like The Simpsons. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic had a phenomenal run, but it’s time has finally come. However, it manages to end on one massive note, as Twilight and her friends face their biggest challenge ever.

The Triple Threats Plan

While everyone prepares for Twilight to be crowned ruler of Equestria, the villainous trio of Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow has been working from the shadows. They’ve sown seeds of discord between Equestria’s inhabitants, turning everyone against each other while they make their move. They then turn on Grogar and use his own bell to drain his power. Although, it was never Grogar, but Discord.

Discord had seen how Twilight was unsure of herself as Equestria’s ruler. Therefore, he brought back all her enemies so she could beat them and get the confidence she needed. I get what Discord was trying to do, and this is in his character, but it still seems like a bad idea. Plus, it seems a bit of a cop-out, introducing this ancient foe only for him to be a red herring.

However, the finale more than makes up for the red herring as the Mane Six has to throw everything they have at the villains. The resulting fights are suitably epic and filled with action and amazing, and each of the heroes gets a moment to shine.

There Will Always Be Problems

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but for those worried that it will end with the bad guys redeemed, don’t fret. The villains don’t change their ways in the 11th hour, something the show even acknowledges. No matter how great things get, there will always be people in the dark trying to wreck everything. However, there will also be people ready to stand up for what’s right. With all of Equestria united as one, light and friendship overcome darkness one last time.

The question is, what now?

Epilogue and Final Lesson

The final episode takes us into the future with all the people’s of Equestria thriving under Twilight’s leadership. Yet one of her top students questions the importance of friendship, since it seems like Twilight rules alone. In other words, how do friends stay friends when things change in their lives. It’s a very real-world problem we’ve all had to face at some point. That’s the final lesson Friendship is Magic tried to teach its fans: learning to let go and accept change.

Thankfully, I think the show does a good job of explaining it. Even if things in their lives can change, and they might not always have time for each other, friends can still find ways to be together. In Twilight’s case, she and the Mane Six promised to meet once a moon as a Friendship Council to run Equestria. Additionally, it gives us a look at how the Mane Six have changed:

• Pinkie Pie married Cheese Sandwich and has a kid (no surprise there)
• Rainbow Dash and Applejack may or may not be a couple.
• Fluttershy might be living with Discord.
• Rarity aged gracefully.

They all have been busy, and so has Equestria, but they still make time for each other. So the final lesson the show has to teach it’s viewers is about change. People’s lives can change and they may not have as much time as before, but if they’re willing to put in the effort, they can stay friends. Plus, there are always more friends that people can make, and more bonds to forge. Not to sound corny, but that’s what makes friendship magic.

Bookends

In the final moments of the finale, the show gives us one final song that bookends the way the show started. When Twilight’s student wants to learn more about friendship, Twilight knows where to send her. She brings her to Ponyville, where she learned the magic of friendship all those years ago. It’s symbolic of how the show began, and also gives us a final, important lesson.

The kids who have been with the show from the start will be teens and young adults by now. Part of being an adult is passing on what you learned to the next generation. That’s what Twilight and her friends do in the show’s final moments, and what the show wants it’s fans to do with the show’s lessons.

Final Thoughts

Am I sad that My Little Pony is over? I am. I may not have gotten into it as some people, and my interest did wane over time, but I can appreciate what the show teaches people. In this world filled with so much strife, it’s better to make friends instead. The show may be over, but the lessons live on. The lessons, and the merchandise

This won’t be the end of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, though, not by a long shot. Hasbro’s already moving forward with the upcoming Generation V of the franchise, and I hope they keep the fun and magic that fans have come to expect.

So, the finale may not have entirely perfect, but I think it was enough to satisfy me. For those who want more of Equestria, worry not. Hasbro has another MLP:FIM film in the works. In the more immediate future, though, it was announced at NYCC that the comics would be giving us a Season 10 of the show. The show may be over, but this won’t be the last we see of Twilight Sparkle or the magical land of Equestria.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

I Give My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Series Finale a Solid 4.5/5

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